Rising Ground’s ParentChild+ program empowers parents to be their children’s first and most important teacher. We bring free books and educational toys to the homes of low-income parents and help them make play a learning experience. Our home visitors show parents ways to incorporate teaching about shapes, colors, numbers, and more.
Working for 30 minutes with a parent and their child twice a week for two years increases graduation by 30% and results in a 50% reduction in the need for special education. As parents and children learn together, family relationships are strengthened. Our program has shown a 133% improvement in parent-child bonds.
With their parents engaged as teachers and educational role models, children in this program don’t lag behind their middle- and upper-income peers. They start school equipped for success. Parents, too, close a gap in their education. Many are immigrant families who do not speak English at home. After experiencing success with their children, many are inspired to pursue their own educational goals, including ESL classes or obtaining their GED. In this way, ParentChild supports entire families and our community as a whole.
